Have you ever watched a creator on Instagram whose Live is just as quality as cable television, if not even better? The tech giant’s “Creators” program now allows you to help chip in to pay what you believe their content deserves. Content creators and influencers can add livestreams as a stream of income thanks to the latest Instagram badges feature. Hypebeast reports that U.S.-based Instagram users over the age of 18 with over 10,000 followers will be able to get paid for their Live content. In October, the new feature started out in its testing stage. Now, the rollout has reached 50,000 users and will continue to expand. Followers can take their support of creators’ Instagram livestreams to a new level by purchasing badges in increments of $0.99, $1.99 and $4.99, according to the outlet. In gratitude for their support, badge owners will receive a thank you message in return, as well as their comments and questions will receive increased visibility for the duration of the Live....

It’s time for these social media platforms to do better — starting with steaming platform Twitch. From Facebook to Instagram to TikTok, social media platforms have been plagued with all kinds of hatred, especially when it comes to content as it pertains to Black people. As a true reflection of the world that we live in, social media just reiterates the day-to-day racism faced by Black people across the globe, and it’s no different when it comes to the Twitch platform. It is the world’s leading live streaming platform for gamers and folks who like to share the things that they love with audiences all over the world, but lately, its Black users have been faced with the most ignorant and outright disrespectful comments. According to Black Information Network (BIN), the streaming platform trended across Twitter earlier this week after users accused the company of failing to protect its creators. The creators include content creators of color, the LGBTQ+ community, and women who claim...

YouTube is broadening the horizon for creators. According to The Los Angeles Times, the social media platform has announced plans to open its very own theater in the Hollywood Park complex located in Inglewood, CA. The YouTube Theater is a 6,000-seat arena located next to the SoFi Stadium in Hollywood Park set to open in August 2021. The new installment solidifies its place in the live event space. Just outside of the theater, people can get a glimpse of exclusive content created by YouTube influencers thanks to a 13-foot-tall digital screen. Set to serve as its own attraction, the digital sign will not only include upcoming concert dates of talent that will perform at the theater along with videos directly from YouTube creators, but it was also designed to allow pedestrians to see their movement and images reflected as sort of a giant fun-house mirror. Despite the fact that the theater can accommodate 3,400 to 6,000 seats, its design was built around making it feel more intimate...

The innovation of Black entrepreneurs is unmatched! As the CEO at Nēdl , the AI-powered search engine for live audio broadcast, Ayinde Alakoye knows a thing or two about creating processes that make our lives easier. Alakoye created Nēdl , to serve as a place where Black people could find their voices and ensure that it’s heard by the masses. “This is a product that is founded by Black people to give Black voices a platform,” shared Alakoye on the latest episode of Black Tech Green Money with host Will Lucas. Nēdl elevates Black voices across all sorts of channels and spheres so that we are heard. The live audio platform allows anyone to create a live call-in radio show that also transcribes, amplifies, and monetizes words as they are spoken. It also serves as an AI-powered search engine for live audio broadcasts. “I think the voice is the unique proposition,” said Alakoye as he explained the value of his product and why it’s so important for Black creators from all walks of life....

Alena Maze is, quite literally, a superwoman — seemingly capable of doing it all. According to her remarkable story on PopSugar, the wife and mother fell in love with her husband, Joe Lee, when she was 13-years-old. But time and chance made them lose touch. They reconnected again when they were a little older, but it took a second time of losing touch before they realized what they meant to one another. Finally, on their third serendipitous encounter, they gave their relationship another try. Today, Maze and Joe Lee are married and have seven children in a blended family. But, she said, she wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. “Growing up, my mother helped to raise many children in the foster care system,” she said to PopSugar. “I always loved having lots of children around and knew I wanted to have many children of my own. My favorite part of being a mom is being able to live in the footsteps of my mother and my grandmother. I feel proud to have been handed down this motherhood...

Even as Black voices become more prominent in mainstream media, the proverbial playing field still isn’t leveled when it comes to content creation. This is what prompted Brian and Darnitra Jackson to create Unimation Media, a 3D animation agency, according to Black News. The couple — who have more than 20 years of combined experience in graphic design, marketing, photography, and 3D animation — provide “multicultural assets” through their newly-formed company, reports Black News. Based in Southern California, the Jacksons are proud to not only be fully Black-owned, but fully Black-operated as well. Right now, Unimation Media is proud to offer its “Scroll Stopping Dance Pack,” which is set on an urban content platform with multi-cultural 3D animated marketing assets at an affordable price.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Unimation Media (@unimationmedia) “Where you will likely always see our competitors doing the same old thing, we wanted to make a point to provide...